Because Counting Our Blessings Just Isn't Enough

Posts tagged ‘Productivity’

The paths to a life well-lived are varied and diverse; each life, each individual unique. As we struggle, strive, and aspire; seeking to survive, succeed, and thrive, we can experience a sense of being adrift, alone, uncertain, and afraid. At times, longing more for answers than for guidance, we look for recipes. In the unattainable quest for simple solutions, I’ve turned to many sources, including “how to” lists to well-being. There are so many versions.

4 Things Resilient People Do

5 Things Happy People Do Every Day

7 Habits of Remarkably Giving People

10 Things Productive People Do Before Bed

12 Things Successful People Do Before Breakfast

15 Things Highly Confident People Don’t Do

16 Things Positive People Do Differently In Their Everyday Lives

18 Things Highly Creative People Do Differently

19 Things Remarkable People Think Every Day

Incorporating the wisdom of such lists and other similar guidance, at times with unbridled enthusiasm, I’ve often mistaken comfort for true well-being. With a persistent smile on my face, sometimes masking tears or panic just below the surface, I’ve navigated through a number of serious challenges in my life and in the lives of some of those closest to me. Through it all I’ve been mostly fine and yet, paradoxically, the very approaches enabling me to achieve the resilience, happiness, altruism, productivity, success, confidence, positivity, creativity and more that I have sought have robbed me of the benefit of blessings, albeit blessings in disguise, that can emerge out of a bold grappling with what is most painful.

Realizing I had avoided struggle necessary for growth I’ve recalibrated, tempering enthusiasm for qualities I had once valued without question, seeking greater measure and balance.

Resilience with the courage to linger in hardship, obstacle and pain; not always bouncing back so quickly, seeking wisdom and purpose within difficult experiences

Happiness with an embrace of a more complete emotional life, searching for the understanding sadness, fear and other painful emotions have to offer

Giving with a readiness to accept the support of others, humbly recognizing dependence

Productivity with unapologetic delight in both play and relaxation, allowing for a celebration of unproductive time

Success with a willingness to be vulnerable

Confidence with self-doubt, arising from honest appraisal of weaknesses

Positivity with awareness of negative reactions and the insights potentially revealed

Creativity with the wisdom to know when to follow along well traveled paths

Striving to be remarkable with appreciation and acceptance of the ordinary within

In life, as in baking, ingredients without thoughtful measure will either underwhelm or overwhelm. I have experienced both extremes. In a shift to an embrace of balance, I continue unabashedly to seek guidance to a life well lived. And yet, I now deliberately strive to resist recipes, simple solutions, or even the best ingredients added without attention to measure.

I invite you to join the exploration of ingredients and measure in a well-lived life.

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Shira Leibowitz, Ph.D

A dynamic, innovative educator and author, Dr. Shira Leibowitz is founding Lower School Director of Portfolio School, currently serving K-5 and planned to expand to a K-12 network of micro-schools. She is also the co-author of The Coach Approach To School Leadership: Leading Teachers to Higher Levels of Effectiveness.

Prior to leading Portfolio, Shira led independent schools in the greater New York City area for 20 years, serving as Department Head and Curriculum Coordinator, Lower School Principal, and Head of School. A recognized leader in project-based learning, educational innovation, and instructional coaching, Shira has coached teachers throughout the country in implementing project-based learning in their classrooms and has led online communities of practice for educators focused on educational innovation, teaching and learning, and instructional coaching.

Shira earned her B.A, magna cum laude with distinction in all subjects, from Cornell University and a Ph.D. in Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, including extensive study at Teachers’ College of Columbia University. Shira lives with her husband, Alfredo, and is the proud mother of two children - Talia, who is studying early childhood education at Drexel University and works in the Philadelphia public schools, and Ronen who is in high school. Included in her family are her two dogs, a cockapoo named Oliver and a jack russell terrier named Max.

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